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PSC 102 Final Exam
American Goverment set 2
63
Political Studies
Undergraduate 1
01/08/2013

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

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Term
Public employee union
Definition
This Union is organized to improve Public service; To advance and improve the interests of its members in the matter of their wages, hours, working conditions, and general welfare; and to promote friendships, harmony, and cooperation among employees and employers. W
Term
Business / Trade Associations
Definition
Interest groups formed by merchants, creditors, business owners and other commerce related organizations. There goal is to promote business interest. Examples of business related interest groups include National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. These interest groups represent both large and small business interest. Trade associations such as the American Trucking Association or the American Bankers Association are also considered "Business Interest Groups"
Term
Professional Groups
Definition
The professions are generally defined as those occupations that require extensive and specialized training, such as medicine, law and teaching. These groups also maintain organizations to protect and promote their interests. Three major professional groups are The American Medical Association (AMA) the American Bar Association (ABA) and the National Education Association (NEA)
Term
National Convention
Definition
a convention held every four years by each major US political party to choose its presidential candidate
Term
Filibuster
Definition
a type of parliamentary procedure where an individual extends debate, allowing a lone member to delay or entirely prevent a vote on a given proposal. It is sometimes referred to as talking out a bill,[1] and characterized as a form of obstruction in a legislature or other decision-making body
Term
gerrymandering
Definition
Drawing of electoral district lines in a way that gives advantage to a particular political party. The practice is named after Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry, who submitted to the state senate a redistricting plan that would have concentrated the voting strength of the Federalist Party in just a few districts, thereby giving disproportionate representation to the Democratic-Republican Party. Some of Gerry's new districts were necessarily odd-shaped; one district's outline, seen to resemble a salamander, gave rise to the scornful term gerrymander.
Term
The Functions of Congress
Definition
five main functions: lawmaking, representing the people, performing oversight, helping constituents, and educating the public
Term
What Is the Role of the Speaker of the House?
Definition
The Speaker fulfills several roles, including representing constituents as a Member of Congress, acting as administrative head of the House, and serving as leader of the majority political party in the House.
Term
War Powers Resolution
Definition
is a federal law intended to check the President's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of Congress. The resolution was adopted in the form of a United States Congress joint resolution; this provides that the President can send U.S. armed forces into action abroad only by authorization of Congress or in case of "a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces."
Term
pocket veto
Definition
a legislative maneuver in lawmaking that allows a president or other official with veto power effectively to exercise that power over a bill by taking no action.
Term
The presidential cabinet
Definition
Established in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, the Cabinet's role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office.
Term
Impeachment
Definition
a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as criminal or civil punishment.
Term
whistleblower
Definition
a person who tells the public or someone in authority about alleged dishonest or illegal activities (misconduct) occurring in a government department or private company or organization. The alleged misconduct may be classified in many ways; for example, a violation of a law, rule, regulation and/or a direct threat to public interest, such as fraud, health/safety violations, and corruption. Whistleblowers may make their allegations internally (for example, to other people within the accused organization) or externally (to regulators, law enforcement agencies, to the media or to groups concerned with the issues
Term
ju·ris·dic·tion
Definition
: the power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law
2a : the authority of a sovereign power to govern or legislate
b : the power or right to exercise authority : control
3: the limits or territory within which authority may be
Term
sunset law
Definition
a statute that includes provision for automatic termination of a government program, agency, etc., at the end of a specified time period unless it is reauthorized by the legislature
Term
Sunshine law
Definition
U.S. federal and state laws requiring regulatory authorities' meetings, decisions and records to be made available to the public.
Term
merit system
Definition
The system of appointing and promoting civil service personnel on the basis of merit rather than political affiliation or loyalty.
Term
Medicaid
Definition
s the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states.[1] People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, including low-income adults, their children, and people with certain disabilities. Poverty alone does not necessarily qualify someone for Medicaid. Medicaid is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for people with limited income in the United States.
Term
Medicare
Definition
is a national social insurance program, administered by the U.S. federal government since 1965, that guarantees access to health insurance for Americans ages 65 and older and younger people with disabilities as well as people with end stage renal disease (Medicare.gov, 2012). As a social insurance program, Medicare spreads the financial risk associated with illness across society to protect everyone, and thus has a somewhat different social role from for-profit private insurers, which manage their risk portfolio by adjusting their pricing according to perceived risk
Term
The Truman Doctrine
Definition
a policy set forth by the U.S. President Harry Truman in a speech[1] on March 12, 1947 stating that the U.S. would support Greece and Turkey with economic and military aid to prevent their falling into the Soviet sphere.[2] Historians often consider it as the start of the Cold War, and the start of the containment policy to stop Soviet expansion.
Term
progressive tax
Definition
The term is frequently applied in reference to personal income taxes, where people with more income pay a higher percentage of that income in tax than do those with less income. It can also apply to adjustment of the tax base by using tax exemptions, tax credits, or selective taxation that creates progressive distribution effects. For example, a sales tax on luxury goods or the exemption of basic necessities may be described as having progressive effects as it increases a tax burden on high end consumption or decreases a tax burden on low end consumption respectively
Term
Judicial restraint
Definition
a theory of judicial interpretation that encourages judges to limit the exercise of their own power. It asserts that judges should hesitate to strike down laws unless they are obviously unconstitutional,[1] though what counts as obviously unconstitutional is itself a matter of some debate
Term
. judicial activism
Definition
an interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court)
Term
Missouri’s Executive Branch
Definition
consists of all state elective and appointive employees and is responsible for executing the laws of the state. Headed by the Governor, the Executive Branch consists of sixteen executive departments and six statewide elected officials
Term
government corporation
Definition
is either fully or partially owned by a nation’s government. In most cases, the top official in the country will designate at least some of the directors who are on the government corporations’ board. If the national government sets out the purposes, powers and obligations of a government corporations, they will specify incorporators.
Term
Conference committee
Definition
is the joint meeting of two committees, one from each house of the bicameral legislature. The committee is usually appointed for adjusting the differences in a bill passed by both houses. The quorum of a conference committee is a majority of the members of each committee. In terms of voting, the committee of each house votes separately.
Term
Missouri General Assembly
Definition
the state legislature of the U.S. state of Missouri. The bicameral General Assembly is composed of a 34-member Senate, and a 163-member House of Representatives. Members of both houses of the General Assembly are subject to term limits. Senators are limited to two four-year terms, and representatives to four two-year terms; a total of 8 years for members of both houses
Term
What kind of cases does the US Supreme Court hear?
Definition
Under original jurisdiction

Original jurisdiction means the Supreme Court is the first to hear the case, acting as a trial court. The only cases currently heard under original jurisdiction involve disputes between the states, and account for only a tiny percent of the Court's work each year.

Under appellate jurisdiction

The Supreme Court hears appeals of cases that raise important "federal questions" involving the US Constitution, Federal laws and US Treaties. The Supreme Court may hear cases from both federal and state court systems under the following general classes:
Term
What types of written opinions may the US Supreme Court issue?
Definition
The four most common opinions:
Majority
Concurring
Dissenting
Per Curiam
Term
Majority opinion
Definition
Also called the "Opinion of the Court," this is the official verdict in the case that represents the vote of the majority of justices
Term
Plurality opinion
Definition
A concurring opinion joined by more justices than the official Court opinion
Term
Dissenting opinion
Definition
An opinion written by a justice who disagrees with the majorit
Term
Concurring in part and dissenting in part
Definition
An opinion written by a justice who may have voted either way, but wants to explain which points are in agreement and which are in disagreemen
Term
Per Curiam opinion
Definition
The opinion is given by the full court, unsigned by the Justices
Term
Defence policy
Definition
public policy dealing with international security and the military. It comprises the measures and initiatives that governments do or do not take in relation to decision-making and strategic goals, such as when and how to commit national armed forces.
Term
Federal Reserve Board
Definition
is the main governing body of the Federal Reserve System. It is charged with overseeing the 12 District Reserve Banks and with helping implement national monetary policy. Governors are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate for staggered, 14-year terms
Term
Monroe Doctrine
Definition
a policy of the United States introduced on December 2, 1823. It stated that further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression, requiring U.S. intervention
Term
military-industrial complex
Definition
The aggregate of a nation's armed forces and the industries that supply their equipment, materials, and armaments
Term
Isolationism
Definition
A national policy of abstaining from political or economic relations with other countries.
Term
Unilateralism
Definition
A tendency of nations to conduct their foreign affairs individualistically, characterized by minimal consultation
Term
Keynesian Economics
Definition
An economic theory stating that active government intervention in the marketplace and monetary policy is the best method of ensuring economic growth and stability.
Term
Regressive Tax
Definition
is a tax imposed in such a manner that the tax rate decreases as the amount subject to taxation increases.
Term
Détente
Definition
is the easing of strained relations, especially in a political situation. The term Is often used in reference to the general easing of geo-political tensions
Term
Moral Idealism
Definition
A personal moral philosophy that considers certain individual rights or duties as universal, regardless of the outcome.
Term
internationalism
Definition
the principle of cooperation among nations, for the promotion of their common good, sometimes as contrasted with nationalism
Term
National health insurance
Definition
(sometimes called statutory health insurance) is health insurance that insures a national population for the costs of health care
Term
fiscal policy
Definition
is the use of government revenue collection (taxation) and expenditure (spending) to influence the economy
Term
gross domestic product
Definition
The monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period
Term
ENVIRONMENTALISM
Definition
: a theory that views environment rather than heredity as the important factor in the development and especially the cultural and intellectual development of an individual or group
2
: advocacy of the preservation, restoration, or improvement of the natural environment; especially : the movement to control pollution
Term
conservationalism versus enviormentalism
Definition
Environmentalists are insincere, since they only care about the environment for political gain. Anyone who really cares about the environement are known as conservationalists.
Term
Supply side and demand side economics
Definition
designed to stimulate the economy by using divergent theories. In theory, supply side economics will cause an influx of investments by the wealthy, prompting new growth. Demand side economics, on the other hand, focuses on stimulating the average consumer to spend more money.
Term
Protectionism
Definition
Government actions and policies that restrict or restrain international trade, often done with the intent of protecting local businesses and jobs from foreign
Term
Political Realism
Definition
Realism is an approach to the study and practice of international politics. It emphasizes the role of the nation-state and makes a broad assumption that all nation-states are motivated by national interests, or, at best, national interests disguised as moral concerns.

At its most fundamental level, the national interest is generic and easy to define: all states seek to preserve their political autonomy and their territorial integrity. Once these two interests have been secured, however, national interests may take different forms. Some states may have an interest in securing more resources or land; other states may wish to expand their own political or economic systems into other areas; some states may merely wish to be left alone.
Term
Militarism
Definition
Glorification of the ideals of a professional military class. 2. Predominance of the armed forces in the administration or policy of th
Term
Monetary policy
Definition
The regulation of the money supply and interest rates by a central bank, such as the Federal Reserve Board in the U.S., in order to control inflation and stabilize currency. Monetary policy is one the two ways the government can impact the economy. By impacting the effective cost of money, the Federal Reserve can affect the amount of money that is spent by consumers and businesses.

Read more: http://www.investorwords.com/3097/monetary_policy.html#ixzz2HP3d3C4P
Term
The Policy Making Process
Definition
There are several stages in the establishment and carrying out of a policy by the government. These include agenda building, formulation, adoption, implementation, evaluation and termination
Term
diplomacy
Definition
the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations. 2. : skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility
Term
Economic globalization
Definition
the increasing economic interdependence of national economies across the world through a rapid increase in cross-border movement of goods, service, technology, and capital.[
Term
Missouri Govenor
Definition
Jay Nixon
Term
Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court
Definition
John G Roberts JR
Term
Missouri Senate Members
Definition
Claire McCaskill
Roy Blunt
Term
US Congressman 3rd District of Missouri
Definition
Blaine Luetkemeyer
Term
Executive agencies in foreign policy
Definition
The President of the United States has a number of advisers who are key to making U.S. foreign policy. The most important is the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State (the position is more commonly called "Foreign Minister" in other countries) is actually the highest ranking, non-elected person in the U.S. government. He or she sits fourth in the order of presidential succession after the Vice President, Speaker of the House, and President pro tempore of the Senate.
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